If a local investor has his way, the USO will return to its glory days of entertaining troops with a parade of celebrity entertainers.
The effort will begin with a “Salute To Troops” event at the Tech Port Arena on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, featuring pianist and Jazz TX proprietor Doc Watkins hosting what he called “90 minutes from the glory days of the variety show era.” Watkins said he will perform with his full orchestra, tell stories from the stage, and emcee the show featuring comedians and other guest performers.
One thousand tickets to the event will be given free to service members, with 2,000 tickets available to the general public. Proceeds from the event will benefit USO San Antonio, the local chapter of the nationwide nonprofit United Service Organization (USO).
Marcos Resendez of Resendez Ventures — a fourth generation service member — is leading the effort, which he hopes will raise $1 million to help the USO return to its days of offering variety shows to troops stationed around the globe.
“We intend to do this Tinseltown level,” Resendez said.
Comedian Hugh Fink, formerly a writer for “Saturday Night Live,” will produce the show. At an announcement event for city leaders and members of the media, Resendez said details on who will join Watkins as entertainment will be announced in the weeks to come.
The USO became legendary for bringing celebrities to entertain American troops overseas during World War II, with a list of movie and music icons on its roster: Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Nancy Sinatra, and stalwart Bob Hope among them.
The nonprofit continues its mission with a variety of services meant to boost the morale of service members and connect them to life in the U.S.
Resendez recalled the words of President John F. Kennedy in describing the purpose of his effort to restart USO variety shows.
“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” he said. “Hopefully that starts to put into context what it is that we’re trying to do, and the one wish to get back to the pomp and circumstance of the military appreciation event.”
Resendez suggested visiting the Salute To Troops website for updates and further information.
